Jakarta, IO – A village located in the District of Tujuh, Regency of Kerinci, Province of Jambi, has a tourist spot affectionately called “The Amazon of Kerinci”. Actually named Rawa Bento or “Bento Swamp”, the 1,000-hectare area sprawls at the height of 1,375 meters above sea level.
“The Amazon of Kerinci” is the highest aquatic habitat in Sumatra Island, which explains its exotic view of marsh meadow flanked by Mount Kerinci in the West and Mount Tujuh in the East.
Other than its majority soil cover of Bento grass, the marshy ecosystem also contains peat, dwarf marsh forest, and a small marshy lake. It is the ideal habitat for the endemic fishes ikan semah (Tor douronensis fish), ikan pareh (Tor tambroides), ikan saluang (Rasbora lateristriata), and different species of eels. The abundant fish in the region means that most locals seek their livelihood from fishing.
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Rawa Bento’s sinuous flow was the cause of its nickname “The Amazon of Kerinci”. According to Kerinci Forest Ecosystem Controller Dedi Raul, tourists can really feel the sensation of heading down the Sumateran Amazon using traditional boats. “That’s how we travel across the Amazon in South America without leaving Indonesia,” he declared as quoted by Kompas, Friday (23/06/2023).
Tourists can hire such boats from Jernih Jaya Village in Mount Tujuh for Rp 500,000.00 per each 10-person boat. (bp)